Changing Masculinity in Contemporary Pakistani Society: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

In Pakistan, masculinity has long been conditioned by patriarchal principles according to which men become the source of authority, the main breadwinners, and the guarantors of family honour and women are supposed to be ranked beneath men in domestic and social environments. Nonetheless, in the recent social, educational, and media changes, it is possible to believe that masculine identities are being negotiated slowly. The given systematic literature review will focus on the conceptualization of changing masculinity in Pakistani literature, determine the prevalent research topics and methodological trends, and investigate the major factors that prompted these changes. The final synthesis included 16 peer-reviewed studies published in 2016-25 in the structured search and screening procedure in big academic databases. The results show that there is a strong focus on inclusive and cooperative masculine roles, especially among young and educated men, with more acceptable shared decision-making and caregiving practices.